5 years in 45 minutes...

Context – Anthony, an aussie trainee in Portugal during 00-01 was back in Europe for the World Cup, in one of the typical periodic aussie migrations across Europe… We have kept in touch during these 5 years (jeeeeze…) and so he decided to drop by Madrid in between his PT and UK stops. After x plan changes regarding dates he finally decided to come over between Monday and Wednesday 17-19 July… Then…

Thursday 13/7 – I get a trip to Brussels confirmed, leaving Tuesday afternoon, returning Thursday to Madrid. No worries, will catch-up with Anthony Monday night…

Sunday 16/7 – Phone call from Anthony… He got a flight only for Tuesday, arriving at 17h25m… Uff, double-check my departure… 20h35.. ok, that gives us about 2h to chat… not too bad!

Tuesday 18/7 15h30m – SMS – flight delayed 2h… Arrival expected for 19h45… Uffffffffff… We can try to meet in the luggage área or something but it will be quite difficult… :s

19h30m - I realize I am flying from T4 in Madrid (aka by the luggage of this planet, Terminator 4)… the good thing is that he is arriving in that Terminal too!

19h45m – During check-in… “We are sorry to inform that the flight is late 1h30m, meaning departure time expected for 21h55m” … YES!!!!! Thank God for this delay!!!!!! :)

20h30m – Eventually we meet up on arrivals, grab a quick beer (Obvious when there is an australian involved), and have a cool chat, summarizing 5 years in 45min…

But this is not all, regarding this trip… In Brussels I generally avoid hotels so I crashed at Maria’s (from Malta) place. We haven’t seen each other for 4-5 months and it was cool to see her in a much better mood than back then!

Then, the following day, after the networking meetings are over, we get the opportunity to enjoy a nice dinner in Leuven, a small very charming town near Brussels… Driving in, I see the InBev plant and it reminds me that Vladan (Serbia) is working here as AIESEC traineeship responsible… Na obvious SMS follows and during the night (conincidently) we end up having a beer in the old market and again have a quick catch up chat!

Theeeeen, on the following day, I randomly meet in Brussels airport Volody, Gonçalo and Andreia, 3 friends travelling to Portugal to the same wedding I am attending… How cool is that??? :)

If-I-am-ever-in-your-neighbourhood-we-WILL-go-for-a-beer!
Carpe Diem,
NunoC

Life in Spain - snapshots (III)

Greetz,

Religion...
Where - a newspaper with a "religious" consultant;
Who - a mother questions a husband's decision;
What - not to go to the beach on holidays, because their teenager male kids might be tempted by the AWESOME, ASTONISHING, MIND-BLOWING females that populate this country;
So...?

The consultant (a priest) agrees with the husband's decision and advises her not to go to the beach because all those bikinis covering tanned and fit bodies might be a source of temptation for the kids (10, 13 and 15 years old)...

Hey! This stuff doesn't only happen in Portugaaaaal!!!! :)))

Carpe Diem!

World Cup (II)

Do you know which was the most sold mobile phone brand this weekend?

SORRY-ERICSSON!

Carpe Diem ;)

PS - Temporarily without frequent internet access... World Cup games in TV... Portugal still there... frequent travels to PT (wedding virus on the loose...)... will get back to more "a menudo" posting rythm soon!